The Waters
 At 4,718 meters
above sea level lies Nam-tso Lake, one of Tibet's
holy lakes. It is approximately 190 kilometers
north of Lhasa. The lake lies at the foothills of
Nyainqen-tangula Mountains. The lake is usually
shrouded in a light fog and its salty waters are a
stunning shade of turquoise. When the fog lifts,
one can suddenly see the five islands that dot its
surface. The lake is also a place of pilgrimage
for some devout Tibetans.
 Tibet is
the land of mountains and rivers. It has the
highest density of waterways in the world. In
Eastern Tibet, the Jinsha River, the Lancang River
and the Nu River form a major network. In Southern
Tibet, the Yarlung Zangbo is known as the Mother
River of Tibet. The Xiangquan River and the
Shiquan River are the major rivers to the West.
Tibet is also where some other major rivers
originate, such as the Ganges River and the
Meigong River.
There are 300 hot lakes and hot springs in
Tibet. A visit to one of these spots is a
marvelous experience. One can go bathing and
swimming in the warm waters, which remain at 30-40
C even when the air temperature is below freezing.
The Yangs-pa-can, a terrestrial heat power
station, is another extraordinary site to visit.
When its sluice gates open, vapor and hot water
from the well spurts into the air, reaching
heights of over 100 meters.
 Ngari's
Mapan Yumco Lake (4,588 meter), at the foothills
of the Kande-sco Mountains, is the world's highest
lake. Apart from its natural beauty, the entire
area is considered a holy spot. Several believers
of Buddhism travel here to express the strength of
their faith. Lake Pangkong Tso is another good
place to relax. It is also a wonderful place for
bird watching.
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